Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th August 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Bluetongue case confirmed in Norfolk
Survelliance is being carried out to determine if the virus is circulating in Great Britain.
A temporary control zone has been put in place.

A single case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been confirmed in a sheep at a premises near Haddiscoe, Norfolk.

It is the first case to be detected in Great Britain during the 2024/25 vector season.

A 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) has been put in place by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), covering an area of south east Norfolk and north east Suffolk. The movement of susceptible animals and their germinal products will be restricted in the TCZ except under license.

Because of current temperatures and midge activity, APHA has said that there is a high risk of onward spread. Surveillance is being undertaken to find out whether the virus is currently circulating in Great Britain.

Between November 2023 and March 2024, 126 cases of BTV-3 were detected in England. This year has also seen thousands of cases in continental Europe, with countries such as Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and France affected.

Ele Brown, the UK's deputy chief veterinary officer, said: “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause productivity issues. This is the first animal in England that has shown clinical signs and been unwell from infection with bluetongue.

“This detection is a clear reminder of the threat of the disease: farmers and their vets must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA.”

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported immediately on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office.

A map of the restricted zone can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."